CRICKET

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 478, 21 September 1899, Page 8

CRICKET

[By

Stonewalled.)

The annual meeting of the Gordon Cricket Club was held at the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Thursday last. Mr B. B. Lusk was elected captain; Dr J. H. Neil, treasurer; Mr J. B. Kyd, secretary ; Messrs Kissling and Neil, delegates to the Cricket Association; and Messrs Lusk, Neil, and Kailender were appointed selectors. Teams will be entered for the senior and first junior competition. Several members spoke of the advantages of practise, and the hope was expressed that members would turn up more regularly for net practice. Votes of thanks to the chairman (Dr Egan) and the retiring officers brought the proceedings to a close. At the annual meeting of the Wellington Cricket Association the chair was occupied by Mr C. Benbow The report stated that two interprovincial matches were played during the season. The first, against Hawke’s Bay, resulted in a. draw ; and the second, against Canterbury, resulted in a win for the Southerners by an innings and 127 runs. There was again much enthusiasm shown in the Senior Cup contest, which ended in a tie between the Midland and the Wellington Club’s A team. The Junior Championship was keenly contested, the Midland Club proving the winners. The Karori Cricket Club won the Third-class Competition.. No definite fixtures have been made for inter - provincial matches for the ensuing season, but visits may be expected from Canterbury and Otago. The committee regrets that it was found to be impracticable to get together a team to visit Auckland, but trusts the association will make a point of fulfilling this engagement this season. A visit to Hawke’s Bay is also due. The thanks of the association were due to the Bev. Dr Watters, Messrs E. Pearce, C. A. Knapp, A. T. Bate, D. J. Nathan, and H. Mitchell for donations received ; to the genth men who were umpires during the season; to Messrs Collins and Treweek, delegates to the N.Z.C.0.; and to H. Mitchell for repairs to the clock in the Basin Reserve. The bat presented by Messrs Feltham and Co. as a trophy for the highest batting average for all classes has been won by Mr K. H. Tucker with an average of 38, Ihe balancesheet showed that, despite the fact that, a sum of £25- was paid to the N.Z.C.O. to provide for a team to visit Australia, the financial position was sound. The election of officers resulted as follow . —patron, his Excellency the Governor ; president, Mr H. D. Bell; vice-presidents, Messrs C. W. Benbow, J Duthie, M.H.8., H. Gully, J. Lachman, D. J. >athan, B. M. Simpson, Dr Collins, Bev Dr Watters; subscribers’ delegates, Messrs C. A. Knapp and A. T. Bate; senior and junior championship committees, Messrs A. Ashbolt, O. A. Knapp, and G. Webb; third-class championship committee, Messrs W. E. Dasent, H. P. Hanify, and G. Warren; selection committee, Messrs A. Ashbolt, 0. A. Knapp, and A. B. Williams; delegates to the N.Z. Cricket Council, Messrs J. U. Collins and C. Treweek; vicepresident of the New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr H. D. Bell; hon secretary, Mr W. 0. Levers; hon treasurer, Mr I. Hyams ; hon auditors, Messrs G. Millward and E. Fitzsimons. All the officers were re-elected. A letter from the N.Z. Cricket Council stating that if the Australians did not visit New Zealand arrangements would be made with the Melbourne Club to send a team was referred to the new committee. Messrs 0. W. Benbow and C. A. Knapp were elected life members. Mr J. Lachman promised to present a gold medal to the Wellington player making the highest score in inter - provincial matches next season. It was decided to have a conference with the Bugby Union with the object of framing a rule dealing with the suspension of players for misconduct. After some debate, it was decided to continue playing on the Basin Reserve instead of forsaking that ground for the Athletic Park. Giles’ College Cricket Club seems to be in a flourishing condition. For the coming season two teams are now in practice for the Junior Cup. Mr J. Corbett has been elected captain, and Mr J. Knott secretary There is some talk of making the senior games three day matches this seaaon. If the Cricket Association make this desirable alteration I believe cricket in Auckland will thrive better than it has in the past. The Ponsonby and Y.M.O.A. Clubs desire to enter senior teams this year. Should the Association accede to their wish there will be a bye in every round

Several players took advantage of the fine weather on Saturday, aud indulged in practice at the Domain. C. L. Townsend, the Gloucester amateur, has had a wonderfully successful season with both bat and ball. He has made over two thousand runs, and has captured ovt r one hundred wickets in first-class cricket.

The United Cricket Club (Canterbury) has assets of the value of £256 10s 4d and no liabilities. Mr C. B. Clark has been elected captain for the ensuing season. The Lancaster Park Cricket Club’s annual meeting showed the financial state of affairs to be in a healthy condition. The receipts during the past season were £124 18s 4d, and the expenditure amounted to £ll7 6s 2d. Cricket here this season promises to eclipse all previous years, besides the old clubs, there are several others formed, one “ The Union,” which opened the season on Thursday last (our weekly half-holday), having, up to the present, a membership of sixty. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the club, and there is no doubt the Union promises to be the most popular cricket club ever formed here. — (Gisborne correspondent.)